For media inquiries, please contact Mike Lahrman at communications@operationhomefront.org or call (210) 202-1243.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Operation Homefront announced that they have fulfilled more than 700 requests for financial help, exceeding $500,000 in assistance provided to military families impacted by COVID-19 since March.
Unexpected Guard and Reserve deployments, unemployment, and reduced work hours, have taken additional tolls on military and veteran families struggling to make ends meet. As the global pandemic continues to concern health officials and impact the American economy, the national nonprofit anticipates the number of requests will grow.
“Even in the best of times, many of our military families are often only one unexpected bill away from a financial crisis,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., President and CEO of Operation Homefront. “Sadly, this national pandemic leaves them, like many Americans, really struggling to make ends meet. But, thanks to our amazing donor community, we have been able to fulfill over 700 requests for assistance and more importantly, we remain able help even more military families overcome their financial hardships in the uncertain times ahead.”
Operation Homefront, whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families, says their highly-valued Critical Financial Assistance program is specifically designed to help America’s military families overcome short-term financial challenges that have the potential to spiral into long-term crises and completely derail any hope of a better or brighter future. The program helps military families pay for overdue bills, including rent, mortgages, grocery/utility bills and car/home repairs, according to their website OperationHomefront.org.
An example of families helped by Operation Homefront during this time include disabled Army veteran, Troy Wesley, and his wife LaQuanna, who shuttered their barbecue catering business for health concerns and remain furloughed from their jobs in law enforcement.
“The part-time income that I was getting supplemented what we used for emergencies. That was all dissolved because of COVID-19,” Wesley said.
As recipients of Operation Homefront’s assistance for a critical home repair three years ago, the Wesley family turned to the nonprofit again and received a $250 gift card for food.
“Within a couple days, the card was here in the mail and we were able to go and stock up,” he said. “We bought food that would last and I’m grateful to Operation Homefront.”
A number of corporate and foundation donors like the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Chobani, Walmart, Procter & Gamble and others have recognized the financial challenges facing military families during this unprecedented time and have stepped up to support Operation Homefront’s mission to meet what they expect will be a significant surge in urgent requests for assistance.
Operation Homefront encourages military families who need assistance to visit operationhomefront.org and click on ‘Get Help Now’. For those who want to donate and support military families through Operation Homefront, visit operationhomefront.org and click on ‘Donate’.
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About Operation Homefront: Founded in 2002, Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America’s military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.
